TORONTO – For a workforce hoping to rebound after a last-place end in 2024, the Toronto Blue Jays have had a somewhat quiet low season.
That may want to alternate in an important manner if Canada’s lone big-league membership goes to strengthen in 2025.
First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the face of the franchise, nonetheless stays and not using a long-term contract. Two-time all-star shortstop Bo Bichette may be unsigned past this 12 months.
The loss of extension information raises questions on whether or not the workforce expects to be a constant contender in long run seasons or if a retooling or rebuilding procedure could be at the horizon.
Choices want to be made quickly. The aggressive window for this roster – a minimum of as recently built – may not be open for for much longer.
The drive is squarely on Blue Jays common supervisor Ross Atkins to ship after a 74-88 marketing campaign that adopted wild-card collection appearances in 3 of 4 years.
Pressured to pivot after lacking out on famous person Juan Soto, Atkins shifted into business mode previous this month via obtaining 2nd baseman Andres Gimenez and reliever Nick Sandlin in a handle the Cleveland Guardians.
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Gimenez, who’s signed via 2029, was once an all-star in 2022 and has received 3 instantly Gold Glove Awards.
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The transfer makes Toronto’s robust defence even higher and, for the reason that Gimenez got here up as a shortstop, provides some insurance coverage if Bichette is traded or leaves in unfastened company subsequent fall.
The Blue Jays are hoping Gimenez can flip his offensive numbers round after two instantly seasons of middling effects.
Sandlin, in the meantime, supplies much-needed intensity in a bullpen that lately welcomed the go back of free-agent reliever Yimi Garcia on a two-year deal.
Garcia, who was once dealt for possibilities on the business time limit final summer time, might take at the nearer position after Jordan Romano of Markham, Ont., was once non-tendered via the workforce.
There have additionally been some adjustments with the workforce’s training workforce with David Popkins now on board as hitting trainer.
What stays unclear as mid-February spring coaching approaches is whether or not Atkins is solely getting began with roster upgrades or if he simplest plans some delicate tinkering.
The latter would do little to appease a jittery fanbase hoping a repeat of the former low season will probably be have shyed away from.
“We’re an overly horny vacation spot,” Atkins stated all the way through a up to date media availability. “An improbable town, marketplace and nation that avid gamers are enthusiastic about and a workforce that avid gamers are enthusiastic about.”
Like they did with Soto, the Blue Jays got here up quick within the Shohei Ohtani free-agent sweepstakes final December and their backup plan didn’t endure fruit.
Toronto ended up signing veterans Justin Turner and Kevin Kiermaier to one-year offers earlier than delivery them out on the business time limit.
For the reason that the workforce isn’t anticipating a significant payroll alternate for 2025, it might seem that Atkins has room to make a minimum of yet one more important free-agent signing. A number of big-name avid gamers are nonetheless to be had.
“Successful is probably the most robust (factor),” Atkins stated. “The extra that we will do this, the easier situated we will be able to be and stay. And now not operating from that, that final 12 months was once a sadness for us.
“It does now not really feel as despite the fact that it has harm us in our pursuit of unfastened brokers.”
Guerrero, who hit .323 with 30 homers and 103 runs batted in final season, desperately wishes some coverage within the batting order.
No different Blue Jay reached the 20-homer or 60-RBI mark in 2024. That’s an issue that calls for instant consideration.
A minimum of one energy bat can be welcomed on a workforce that was once twenty sixth out of 30 major-league groups with 156 house runs and twentieth in workforce slugging proportion (.389).
The beginning rotation may use some other intensity piece and the bullpen most likely wishes one or two extra high quality hands.
The Blue Jays’ pre-season opener is Feb. 22 towards the New York Yankees. Toronto will kick off the 2025 common season on March 27 towards the visiting Baltimore Orioles.
This file via The Canadian Press was once first printed Dec. 30, 2024.
&replica 2024 The Canadian Press
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